ADVICE leaflets for Wyre Forest pensioners have been scuppered amid claims of political bias.

The leaflet, produced jointly by Wyre Forest MP David Lock and the district Age Concern group, has been shelved after intervention by the charity's chief.

Age Concern director general Gordon Lishman asked Mr Lock to withdraw a leaflet published over Christmas after a complaint by Wyre Forest Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Mark Simpson.

Now a forthcoming leaflet has had to be shelved.

The charity chief was concerned the leaflet could give the impression the district group endorsed Labour Government policy.

Age Concern Wyre Forest chief officer Pat Simmonds bemoaned the loss saying the leaflet was greatly appreciated by pensioners.

She said: "It was purely non-political and we only put it in our centre. I received no complaints from pensioners - they found it very useful.

"Mr Lock was telling people about the services they could use and talking about new initiatives such as free eye-tests."

She added: "I am very disappointed it has come to this because our main concern is for Wyre Forest pensioners and to give them as much information and support as possible.

"We are not political and this has only happened because the Conservatives have made a complaint.

"I'm surprised about Age Concern's intervention because it has always asked us to work with our MPs as we did with previous Conservative MP Anthony Coombs."

However, Mr Simpson said district pensioners had complained to him the leaflet seemed to back Labour Government policy.

He said: "They were worried as Age Concern prides itself on its political neutrality and indeed its head office in London had given a pledge to this effect.

"I'd find it unfortunate if they'd allowed themselves locally to be used as a vehicle for David Lock's political agenda.

"I think it is embarrassing for Labour in Wyre Forest. They are being asked not to distribute their own leaflets by a respected national organisation."

Mr Lock slammed Mr Simpson's intervention saying he had worked hard to ensure the leaflet was factual and non-political.

He said: "I'm very sad when politics descends to this level.

"Leaning on Age Concern to the detriment of the information being provided to pensioners is a shallow and unimpressive tactic. Quite frankly, I would have expected better.

"We did nothing wrong, it was all factual. Feedback I had from people such as district nurses was that it was very useful.

"Unfortunately, the only people who have lost out as a result of this are the pensioners."